From Lofty Ambition to Lived Dream
Today, Croke Park Meetings & Events launch From Lofty Ambition to Lived Dream: Our Sustainability Story, an e-Book detailing the story of how Croke Park, one of Europe’s largest stadiums, became a truly sustainable venue.
As home and headquarters of the GAA (Gaelic Athletics Association), Croke Park is primarily a sports stadium with a matchday capacity of 82,300. However, it also acts as a multi-purpose arena, staging concerts by the likes of U2, and hosting large scale events, like the Special Olympics World Summer Games. The Meetings & Events team runs over 2000 business meetings and events each year, from multi-day international conferences and breakfast briefings to gala dinners and corporate sales meetings. Pre-pandemic, up to 1.5m people visited the stadium every year.
During the recent pause in business-as-usual, the Croke Park team developed an account of their journey from green goals to sustainability success. The story started over a decade ago but now they’ve captured the key milestones in their new eBook. They hope that by sharing their experience, they will help others to understand and manage the impact events can have on the natural world.
Guy Bigwood
A Few Key Points:
– 100% of Croke Park’s stadium waste produced is recycled, reused or recovered as solid fuel; 0% is sent to landfill.
– Croke Park grows its own turf locally for pitch maintenance and replacement to reduce carbon emissions associated with importation.
– Croke Park was the very first stadium in the world to obtain certification to the newest international Environmental Standard ISO 14001.
– Their sustainability programme has led to a reduction of almost 75% in their carbon emissions.
– Menus feature over 85% local and regional produce. By 2021 they will showcase a 100km menu.
– The Croke Park Community Fund supports local projects that directly benefit those living within 1.5km of the stadium. Since 2009 over €1 million has been allocated to 200 local voluntary groups, resident associations, and sports clubs.